But Verizon's chief administrative officer said: "Since last June, we've worked diligently to try and reach agreements that would be good for our employees. ... Unfortunately, union leaders have their own agenda rooted in the past and are ignoring today's digital realities."

IBEW and Communications Workers of America, which organized the protests, say a strike is "always the last resort."

There's no word when the strike will end, but Verizon has brought in temporary employees.